Mount Rata and Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve (6127)
Cameroon, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Mount Rata and Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.7734, Longitude: 9.0745
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 451.99862
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Rumpi Hills, situated to the north of Mount Cameroon (CM027), west of the Bakossi mountains (CM022) and south-east of Korup National Park (CM019), include a number of peaks over 1,000 m, the highest of which is Mount Rata, 1,768 m. Many of the peaks are the result of extensive faulting, so that there are no classic volcanic cones with craters. Part of the site comprises an area of mid-altitude forest, largely degraded by logging and agricultural encroachment. Mount Rata has more intact forest than the surrounding areas. In addition to the mid-altitude forest, coastal evergreen and drier northern semi-evergreen forest elements occur. There are many permanent watercourses. The area has, until now, been a production Forest Reserve, open to logging concessions; much of the forest has, in consequence, gone or is in a poor state. The area around Mount Rata appears less damaged, but surveys are needed to establish where the best forest is located. Despite high hunting pressure, MINEF now plans to convert the Rumpi Hills into a 45,675 ha Faunal Reserve in which, it is hoped, Mount Rata will be included.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of the Rumpi Mouse Shrew and four birds trigger B2. An additional 121 birds and four mammals meet legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment against the Global Standard.
Manageability of the site: This site corresponds to Rumpi Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (WDPAID: 20117).
Delineation rationale: The site delineation follows the WDPA boundary of Rumpi Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (WDPAID: 20117)
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |